Chapter 22 - Sofia
I step into the grandiose hotel lobby, my eyes widening at the opulence surrounding this place—crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and the soft hum of excitement in the air. Vlad's hand rests on the small of my back, guiding me forward.
"Welcome to my world, Sofia," he murmurs, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.
I arch an eyebrow, fighting the urge to lean into his touch. "Your world? I thought I was already living in it."
Vlad's lips quirk into a half-smile. "This is different. I want you to be a part of everything—no secrets, no barriers."
The statement catches me off guard. My brothers had always kept me at arm's length from their business dealings, treating me like a delicate flower that needed protection. But Vlad… he sees me differently.
And that means the world to me. Finally, I feel as though someone understands what it is I yearn for in this life. A chance to learn something new, to prove myself.
As we weave through the bustling lobby, I notice how people part like the Red Sea before Vlad. Hushed whispers and respectful nods follow in our wake. It's both thrilling and intimidating.
"So, are you going to give me the grand tour?" I ask, injecting a hint of sass into my voice to mask my genuine curiosity.
Vlad's eyes gleam with amusement. "Eager, are we? Very well, Myshka . What would you like to know?"
I bite my lip, considering. "How about we start with the basics? Like how this glitzy establishment fits into your… shall we say, less than legal activities?"
He leans in close, his breath warm against my ear as he speaks in a hushed tone. "The hotel and casino serve as fronts for money laundering. It's a complex operation. We bring in the cash we need to convert into white and show it as losses by patrons in the books. We can slide it into our accounts, no questions asked."
I nod, absorbing the information, thrilled to finally be privy to these secrets.
“And what other businesses do we have?” I ask, my voice a mix of determination and curiosity.
“Real estate. We buy the most luxurious properties, part cash, part white. Then, we leverage it to get loans, all white. That’s how we build legitimate businesses. We’ve also got our diamond mines and the jewelry stores, which are a new acquisition. Apart from that…”
I listen intently, a small smile on my lips. This whole world is like a sparkling gem waiting to be discovered. As we continue our tour, I find myself oddly at ease in this world. It's a far cry from the sheltered life my brothers had crafted for me, and yet… it feels right. Like I'm finally where I belong.
We step onto the casino floor, and I'm immediately engulfed by a cacophony of sounds—the melodic chiming of slot machines, the excited chatter of patrons, and the constant shuffle of cards. The air is thick with anticipation and the faint scent of expensive cologne.
Vlad's hand remains steady on my lower back as he leans in close. "Pay attention, Sofia. This is where the real magic happens."
I arch an eyebrow. "Magic? I didn't take you for the superstitious type, Vlad."
He chuckles a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine. "The only luck here is the one we create, Myshka ."
As we weave through the maze of gaming tables, Vlad points out key areas. "The high-roller room," he murmurs, nodding toward a secluded area. "That's where the big fish come to play… and where we reel them in."
I absorb every detail, my mind racing with possibilities. "And the cage?" I ask, eyeing the heavily guarded area where stacks of chips and cash are visible.
"The heart of our operation," Vlad confirms. "Every transaction passes through there."
We move to a quieter corner, where a group of well-dressed individuals awaits us. Vlad's posture straightens imperceptibly. "Sofia, meet some of our most trusted employees."
I paste on my most charming smile, extending my hand to each in turn. "A pleasure," I say, my tone warm but measured. I can feel Vlad's eyes on me, gauging my reaction.
A balding man in an expensive suit steps forward. "Mrs. Zolotov, we've heard so much about you. It's an honor to finally meet the woman who's captured our boss's heart."
I laugh, the sound light and practiced. "Oh, I wouldn't say captured. Perhaps… negotiated a temporary ceasefire?"
The group chuckles, and I catch a glimpse of something that might be pride in Vlad's eyes. Good. Let him see I'm more than just a pretty face.
As the introductions continue, I find myself slipping easily into the role of the boss's wife.
As we move away from the group, Vlad's demeanor shifts. His jaw tightens, eyes narrowing as he spots a man in a crisp suit approaching us. I recognize him as one of the managers we met earlier.
"Ivanof," Vlad's voice cuts through the air like a knife. "I hear there was an issue with last night's shipment."
I watch, fascinated, as the manager's face pales. "Mr. Zolotov, I can explain—"
"Save it," Vlad interrupts, his tone ice-cold. "You had one job. One. And you failed spectacularly."
I feel a shiver run down my spine. This is a side of Vlad I haven't seen before—ruthless, uncompromising. It should frighten me, but instead, I find myself… intrigued.
"It won't happen again, Sir," Ivanof stammers.
"You're right, it won't," Vlad agrees. "Because if it does, you'll be looking for a new job. Understood?"
The manager nods frantically before scurrying away. I arch an eyebrow at Vlad. "Harsh," I comment, trying to keep my voice neutral.
He turns to me, his expression softening slightly. "Sometimes, it's necessary. In this business, Sofia, weakness can be fatal."
I nod, impressed by his decisiveness. It's a quality I've always admired, even if I've rarely seen it in action.
As we continue our tour, we pass a security checkpoint. Vlad pauses, his attention caught by one of the guards.
"Oleg," he calls out. "How's your daughter doing? She was sick last week, wasn't she?"
The guard's face lights up with surprise and gratitude. "Much better, Sir. Thank you for asking. The medicine you sent over really helped."
I blink, taken aback by this sudden display of kindness. Vlad's eyes are warm, showing genuine concern as he listens to Oleg's update on his family.
"I'm glad to hear it," Vlad says sincerely. "If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask."
As we walk away, I can't help but study Vlad's profile. "That was… unexpected," I murmur.
He glances at me, a small smile playing on his lips. "What? Did you think I was all teeth and claws, Sofia?"
I shrug, trying to maintain my cool facade. "Can you blame me after how I saw you make that manager tremble?"
Vlad chuckles, the sound low and rich.
Just then, we approach a young waiter carefully balancing a tray of champagne flutes. Vlad's face breaks into a rare, genuine smile. "My friend! I heard the good news. Congratulations on becoming a father."
The waiter's eyes light up, his posture straightening with pride. "Thank you, Sir. It's been quite the adventure already."
I find myself oddly moved by the exchange. "A boy or a girl?" I ask, surprising even myself with my interest.
He beams at me. "A little girl, Ma'am. We named her Anya."
"Anya," I repeat, tasting the name on my tongue. "That's beautiful. I'm sure she'll grow up to be as hardworking as her father."
Vlad's hand finds the small of my back, a warm, steady presence. "And as kind as her mother, I hope," he adds, his voice low and approving.
As we move away, leaving behind a glowing waiter, Vlad leans in close. "That was nicely done, Sofia. You have a talent for this."
I arch an eyebrow, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "For what? Basic human interaction?"
He chuckles, the sound rumbling through me. "For making people feel valued."
I feel a warmth spreading through me, joy at making him feel proud.
As we approach the security control room, a thought strikes me. I pause, my eyes scanning the monitors lining the walls.
"You know," I say, my voice carefully neutral, "you could improve efficiency by reconfiguring these camera angles. There's significant overlap in some areas, leaving others vulnerable."
Vlad turns to me, surprise flickering across his face. "Oh?" he prompts, his tone curious.
I nod, pointing to specific screens. "See here and here? Adjust these, and you'd have a clearer view of the back entrance without compromising coverage of the main floor."
For a moment, Vlad is silent. Then, to my astonishment, a rare smile breaks across his face. "Impressive, Sof. I'll have the team implement that immediately."
I shrug, trying to suppress the warmth blooming in my chest at his approval. "Just an observation."
Suddenly, a commotion erupts on one of the screens. A man at the blackjack table is shouting, his face red with anger. Vlad's demeanor shifts instantly, his body tensing as he barks orders into his earpiece.
"Potential situation at table seven. Security, converge but do not engage until my signal."
I watch, mesmerized, as Vlad strides purposefully toward the disturbance. His presence alone seems to calm the chaos, the angry man faltering as Vlad approaches.
"Sir." Vlad's voice is low, authoritative. "Is there a problem we can assist you with?"
The man sputters, gesturing wildly. "This dealer… he's cheating! I know it!"
I narrow my eyes, assessing the situation. "Vlad," I murmur, stepping closer. "Look at his left hand. He's palming something."
Vlad's gaze flicks to me, then back to the man. Without missing a beat, he nods to his security team. "Check his sleeves and pockets. Thoroughly."
As they pat down the irate customer, I can't help but feel a thrill of satisfaction. Vlad leans in, his breath warm against my ear. "Sharp eyes, Sofia."
I allow myself a small smirk. "Someone has to give you a run for their money, don't they?"
***
Soon after, we sit at the bar, sipping on champagne. Vlad turns to me, "Sofia, we've covered a lot of ground tonight. What are your thoughts on the operation?"
His voice is soft, hesitant, as though he’s seeking something. Approval, maybe? It humbles me to see he cares what I think.
I take a moment, considering my words carefully. My brothers always kept me at arm's length from their business, but Vlad's openness ignites a spark of excitement within me.
"It's impressive," I say, my voice steady and confident. "The way you've integrated legitimate business with… other ventures. But I noticed a few areas where efficiency could be improved."
Vlad raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."
"Your bartenders," I explain, gesturing toward the busy bar. "They're wasting time with unnecessary movements. A reorganization of their workspace could reduce manpower by one per station."
A ghost of a smile plays on Vlad's lips. "Anything else?"
I straighten my shoulders, meeting his gaze. "The high-roller room. It's too isolated. You're missing opportunities to entice more players. Perhaps a more visible location, with one-way glass for privacy?"
Vlad nods slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. "Perceptive. I'll have my team look into both suggestions."
We fall into a comfortable silence, moving to stand side by side overlooking the bustling casino floor. The cacophony of slot machines and excited chatter fills the air, but I find myself focused on Vlad's steady presence beside me.
For the first time in years, I feel a sense of purpose washing over me. Here, in this world of glitz and shadow, I belong. Not as a pretty ornament or a bargaining chip, but as a partner. An equal.
I glance at Vlad, catching him watching me with an unreadable expression. "What?" I ask, curious to see what’s on his mind.
He shakes his head, a rare, genuine smile gracing his features. "Nothing, really. I'm just thinking that perhaps this our teamwork functions better than either of us anticipated."
I feel a warmth bloom in my chest, unfamiliar yet not unwelcome. "Don't get ahead of yourself," I retort, but there's no real bite to my words. "We still have a long way to go."
Vlad chuckles, the sound low and rich. "Indeed we do, Sofia. Indeed we do."